LUFC Warnock delighted with performance

New Leeds United manager Neil Warnock was delighted with the performance of his players after drawing 0-0 at Portsmouth in his first game in charge of the club.

Leeds kept a rare clean sheet and both Ross McCormack and Luciano Becchio came very close to winning the game for Leeds.

Speaking on Yorkshire Radio, Warnock said, "I am delighted with the attitude, the application, I thought we were fantastic. "They played a very direct game today. I don`t think I have ever seen Portsmouth play so direct.

"We had to stand up and be counted and I thought it was super to get a clean sheet in my first game.

"I asked them to show me what they were like at defending and I thought they came up."Warnock made just one change from the side that beat Doncaster Rovers last weekend in Neil Redfearn`s last game in temporary charge.

Michael Brown came in for Andros Townsend and he put in his best performance for Leeds since signing from Portsmouth last summer.

Ross McCormack came closest to scoring for Leeds when his effort hit the underside of the bar and Robert Snodgrass followed it in to score but was ruled offside, something Warnock was none too happy with. "I thought we had some great chances second half in the first twenty, twenty-five minutes. One of those goals would have got us three points but it was not to be.

"I thought we broke very well when we could and the goal that Ross scored was about a yard over the line and it`s a certain goal. I don`t know how the linesman has not seen that. It was so far over it was embarrassing. Having said that, I thought they should have had a penalty in the first half when Tom Lees punched the ball. The linesman on that side must have had the sun in his eyes.

"I don`t think Lonergan had much to do if I am honest. I think there goalkeeper made a great save from Becchio. That was a well worked move and he did everything right and he was unlucky really.

"McCormack and Snodgrass had good opportunities and overall you have got to be pleased when the lads put their heads in where it hurts and when you come to Portsmouth you have to do that.

"I thought the fans response was fantastic. A full house down here for us, to bring 3,000 down here for us is a long way to come.

"They started strongly, with twenty minutes gone you would have taken 0-0 but after that I thought we came into it and after half time I could only see us winning the game and fortunately, nobody touched the long throw by Halford which went in. Overall, I thought we just shaded it. "

The result leaves Leeds in tenth place, four points outside the play off places with most of the team above them having games in hand.

Leeds now face a tricky start to March, with the next four games all against sides above them in the championship.

Leaders Southampton and second placed West Ham both have to come to Elland Road and they face trips to Middlesbrough and Hull City.

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